Lieutenant Van Sicklen, sleeping near at hand and ever on the alert, had been roused by Morgan’s first movement and rushed out with drawn sword. He reached the open door just in time to receive in his arms the limp form of the Tory spy. The American officer was not too surprised to grasp him by the collar: “How, now, sirrah! You would steal my horse, would you? We will soon quiet you and your kind!” Still holding him firmly--though the man was unconscious and unable to stand--he called, “What, ho! Within! I have no time to deal with spies or horse thieves! Come out and punish this fellow, if he is alive, according to your Vermont laws before you go to fight his peers!” Nor did he and Morgan remain to see the fate of the Tory spy. It sufficed them to know he was to be dealt with according to his deserts. FOOTNOTES: [13] In December, 1907, a furled flag, covered with dust and dirt, and exactly answering the description of the flag examined by Captain Dulaney, was discovered on the sill of an old barn on what is now known as the _Jed Mack Farm_, at Swanton Junction, Vermont. The flag was old--even in 1814--for there were but thirteen stripes on it, and had been made before Vermont was admitted to the Union. The finding of the flag nearly a century later proves that Lieut. Van Sicklen did not return that way and accounts for the discovery of the flag so long afterwards. CHAPTER XX. THE NAVAL BATTLE. From Montpelier other messengers were sent in all directions to warn the farmers, and Lieut. Van Sicklen pushed on to Randolph, Morgan’s old home. His former friends along the way would never have believed it, had they not known his age. Full twenty-five years old, he was yet eager, and, hard as the riding had been, not once had he faltered. Whilst he waited in Randolph, Lieut. Van Sicklen, amidst roars of applause, roused the people to rally round the flag, and made such a patriotic speech from the porch of Dr. Timothy Baylies’ Tavern, that the assembled crowd was carried away by his enthusiasm and shouted, wildly: “Down with the British!” It was a fire of patriotism burning high and clear, lighting the state from North to South. Presently, on foot, on horseback, in wagons and in “shays,” they swept out into the winding highways and headed toward Montpelier, where the Government arms were stored, with a great cracking of whips and cheering. Eighty-five volunteers went from Randolph, with Captain Egerton Lebbins in command. In a fine fever of enthusiasm they were as splendid a set of men as Morgan had come across in his journey, showing much heroism and ardor, but their clothes were odd to see, goodness knows! One thing and another thrown on at random; but not once did it occur to any of them to doubt the propriety of the strange costumes.